Spencer Ward scored the game-winner vs. NCU
CALDWELL, Idaho - A pair of goals in the first 14 minutes helped The College of Idaho end a three-game losing streak, topping Northwest Christian, 2-1, at Simplot Stadium.
With the win, the Coyotes (3-6, 2-3 CCC) improved to 9-0 all-time against their Cascade Conference foes from Eugene, Ore.
The C of I took a quick lead just seven minutes into the game, as Drew Smith played a long through-ball up the left side to the streaking Chenjerai Simpson, who laced a left-footed shot just inside the left post. The Yotes would add to the lead at the close of the 14th minute, as on the re-start following a foul, Brad Byers served a free kick into the box, with James Collet heading the ball to the foot of Spencer Ward, who flicked the ball into the right corner of the net.
The Yotes nearly made it 3-0 less than a minute later, as Simpson got behind the Beacons (2-6-1, 0-4-1) defense, but was stoned by keeper Erik Carrazco. The play energized NCU, as the visitors got right back in the match in the 30th minute, as Juan Guitron lifted a free kick from just outside the box on the right side, finding the head of Peter VanderBogart, who found the upper right corner of the net to cut the margin to 2-1.
The second half was dominated by the Yotes, as The C of I limited the Beacons to just one shot on goal - with the hosts recording a trio of near misses. Simpson missed just wide from inside the six-yard box in the 46th minute, Carlos Gomez flicked a nifty feed from John Fronk wide in the 58th minute, while a Matt Kelly drive off a corner kick was cleared off the goal line by the NCU defense.
The Coyotes held an 18-12 edge in total shots - including a 10-4 edge in the second half. The game had a combined 33 fouls on the afternoon.
The C of I returns to action on Saturday, hosting Northwest University at Noon.